Pope Francis, ‘The People’s Pope,’ Dead at 88

By Currents News

News from the Vatican: Pope Francis has passed away.

The 88-year-old pontiff has been the shepherd of the Catholic Church for over a decade. His leadership forever changed the face of the papacy, creating a lasting legacy that will be felt for generations.

He was known as “the people’s pope.”

Born the son of Italian immigrants in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1936, Jorge Bergoglio was a chemist and a literature and psychology teacher before joining the priesthood.

As the Archbishop of Buenos Aires he was known as a champion of the poor, and after being elected pope in 2013 he became known as a reformer.

He was the first pope from the Americas and the first to take the name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi. Caring for the marginalized and those living on the peripheries became the backbone of Pope Francis’ pontificate.

His advocacy on behalf of migrants and refugees was evident through the dozens of trips he took during his papacy.

One of his first apostolic journeys in 2013 was to the Italian island of Lampedusa to show his solidarity with migrants.

One of his last was to southeast Asia, where he promoted peace through interreligious dialogue.

RELATED: Pope Francis Dead at 88

Pope Francis often spoke out against the war in Ukraine, and every night since the Israel-Hamas war began he would call the only Catholic church in Gaza to remind them that they are not forgotten.

The Holy Father was an advocate for the environment, as well as people.

In 2015 he published his encyclical, “Laudato Si,” which focused not just on technical solutions to climate change. Rather, the pope encouraged Christians to find changes in their everyday lives that can help conserve the world’s ecology.

Since its creation, “Laudato Si” has inspired programs to fight climate change around the world.

His 2019 “Synod of Bishops on the Amazon” was largely focused on environmental issues and the need to protect the Amazon rainforest.

Synodality was a key concept of his papacy, and in 2024 Pope Francis closed the “Synod of Bishops on Synodality.” It was a four-year process to make the global Church a more open, welcoming and inclusive place. It focused on empowering lay people – including young Catholics – and ensuring that women have a greater role in the Church by giving them the right to vote at the Synod.

Pope Francis made history in January of 2025 by appointing the first woman as the head of a Vatican department.

He was also perhaps the most inclusive pontiff toward the LGBT community. Mere months after being elected, Pope Francis opened a door to LGBT Catholics when responding to a reporter’s question on the papal plane. But while he approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples, he drew the line when it came to marriage.

As for heterosexual couples who divorce and then remarry, 2015 Pope Francis said they were still welcome in the church…

On the topic of abortion, the pope always took a strong stance against it. In 2018 he equated terminating a pregnancy to hiring a hitman.

In 2019, Pope Francis called on dioceses worldwide to set up a system for people to report clerical sex abuse, and he issued apologies for it.

The Holy Father also apologized for the abuse suffered by indigenous children in Canada at Catholic run residential schools.

Pope Francis also liked to celebrate, often inviting various circus acts to perform at the Vatican, But, his last celebration is one he won’t see to its end. In December of 2024 Pope Francis opened the Holy Doors at St Peter’s Basilica to begin the Jubilee of Hope.

Prior to his passing, Pope Francis said he plans to be buried in Rome’s famed Basilica of St. Mary Major.

For continuing coverage of the pope’s funeral services, be sure to follow Currents News and The Tablet online.

Hundreds Join the Diocese of Brooklyn During the Easter Vigil

By Katie Vasquez

The most important liturgy of the Catholic Church, starts with a single flame, a fire that in time lights dozens of individual candles within the Co-Cathedral of St Joseph.

The paschal candle flame is a symbol of Christ as the light of the world, and Bishop Robert Brennan says the world is united at the Easter vigil.

“The night above all the other nights where the church is keeping vigil all around the world, and this year, the east and the west come together. The western church, the Roman Catholic church, the Orthodox church. We’re all celebrating Easter together,” said Bishop Brennan.

The Brooklyn shepherd leads the people’s prayers in darkness, as the Prospect Heights church mourns the death of christ.

Then with the sounds of bells, the lights of the church turn on, signaling a moment millions have been waiting for, Jesus’ resurrection.

“So you can imagine the whole Christian world is keeping vigil, watching for the resurrection of the lord and so, that in itself is a glorious thing,” said Bishop Brennan.

The vigil is also a culmination of a faith journey, as catechumens were baptized and received their sacraments at the mass.

Bishop Brennan baptized five and confirmed five at the Co-Cathedral but almost 700 people joined the church across the Diocese of Brooklyn.

“We have some parishes that will be 40, 50, 60. there’s one, I believe it’s 70 people coming into the church,” said Bishop Brennan.

Newly baptized David Flowers once considered himself an atheist but after reading books particularly by the Holy Father, he found God.

“As I came to know and understand Jesus Christ more in the warmth and comfort he can give to how he can forgive us. I wanted to be baptized into this church so I could be closer to him,” said Flowers.

Max Racine, who was confirmed, has always felt touched by God. He finally decided to fully join the church to express his gratitude.

“I feel like I’m just constantly receiving things that I don’t deserve. So i wanted to put a little bit more of devotion and focus into that in my life,” said Racine.

Bishop Brennan says it is heartwarming to see people still yearning to have Christ in their life.

“It’s always good to see people making a conscious decision to put their faith to say, yes, i really believe this. Yes, I really want to be part of this,” said Bishop Brennan.

Now, the diocese of Brooklyn celebrates Christ’s resurrection together, stronger in numbers and in faith.

New York City Faithful Follow Jesus’ Final Steps During Way of the Cross

By Katie Vasquez

Good Friday is the most solemn day of the year for Catholics, as they remember Christ’s crucifixion. Hundreds of faithful followed those footsteps, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge in a procession meant to mimic Jesus’ final steps.

They walk with purpose, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge in a procession that they feel brings them closer to the Son of God, by reliving his sacrifice.

“It’s us walking with Christ. It’s sort of a symbolic call, the heart to not only believe what he says, but also to do what he did, like take that walk with our crosses in a physical sense, not only just spiritually. we live it out in our lives,” said Holy Family Church parishioner, Noel Guzman.

The morning started with prayer at the Cathedral Basilica of St James with Brooklyn’s Bishop Robert Brennan, New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan, and the Greek Orthodox church’s Archbishop Elpidophoros of America joining together for the Good Friday service.

“Well, we’re working toward unity. This is something we’ve been working for centuries toward, and the celebration of the common date of Easter, the shared date of Easter, is a great sign of that, and our walking with Christ on this journey,” said Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Spencer Bell learned of the Way of the Cross from Bishop Brennan last week at a Holy Hour, and knew it would open his heart more to Jesus.

“What He went through, to sacrifice Himself for us as, like a master, as a father figure. it’s just inspirational and we’re able to look at Him and be able to kind of give ourselves to others in the same way He did to us,” said Bell, who is parishioner at Mary’s Nativity-St. Ann Church in Flushing, Queens.

There was quiet prayer as people walked more than a mile behind the cross, allowing the faithful to focus on the reason for the Easter season.

“Well, how about silence? Silence is good on Good Friday. Que viva la cruz de Cristo. We adore thee, Oh Christ. and we praise thee because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York.

“When you take the time out of your day to focus on Christ, these things, whether it be small or big like this, you take that, you run the risk of getting closer to. That’s a beautiful risk because then you change for the better,” said Guzman.

Good Friday is the only day that the Catholic Church doesn’t celebrate Mass, because Catholics believe it is a day of mourning rather than joy. There are still services held, including a reading of the Gospel, veneration of the cross and distribution of Holy Communion, but the eucharist is never consecrated on Good Friday.

Showering Moms With Love: Annual Baby Shower Brings Hope to Expectant Mothers

By Currents News

A charitable organization is showering expectant mothers with love: the Don Bosco Columbiettes, the ladies auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, hosted their 14th annual baby shower, Wednesday April 16.

They collected toys, shoes, diapers, toiletries, a few car seats, and baby clothes, some of which were crocheted by generous donors.

The donations will be sent to the Bridge to Life in College Point, Queens, a non-profit organization helping mothers with life-affirming services for more than 30 years.

Queens Church Holds Live Reenactment of Christ’s Passion

By Currents News

In the Diocese of Brooklyn a Queens parish was living out the Passion of Christ.

An English and Spanish reenactment started in the pews of St. Joseph’s Church before heading out to the streets of Astoria.

A choir was leading the way as one parishioner, playing the part of Jesus, carried a cross and acted out Christ’s road to Calvary.

Others portrayed the other important roles in the biblical story, like Mary and the women who wept at His crucifixion.

After Jesus was “nailed” to the cross during the reenactment, the parishioners returned inside to pray.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday 4/18/2025

On Good Friday the Diocese of Brooklyn is walking the Way of the Cross as parishioners partake in a solemn procession across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Students in Rome are reflecting on Christ’s crucifixion through Catholic history as they view relics that can be linked back to Jesus’s road to Calvary.

Faithful at a Queens church are reenacting the Passion of the Christ through New York City streets as living testament to His sacrifice.

Holy Thursday: A Night of Humility, Service, and Sacred Tradition

By Currents News

Before remembering Christ’s Crucifixion on Good Friday, Catholics recalled Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples on Holy Thursday.

Bishop Robert Brennan washed the feet of 12 People, just like the Son of God, a show of love and humility for both clergy and laity.

The Mass also remembers when Jesus changed Bread and Wine into His own Body and Blood, something Catholics celebrate at every Mass throughout the year.

TONIGHT AT 7: Hundreds to Walk Way of the Cross in NYC

By Currents News

It’s a solemn day for Catholics around the world as people of faith remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us this Good Friday.

The Diocese of Brooklyn is walking with Christ on this day, processing across the Brooklyn Bridge to commemorate His final steps to crucifixion.

A Look Back at the Diocese of Brooklyn’s 2025 Lenten Pilgrimage

By Currents News

Before we celebrate the Resurrection at Currents News, here’s one last look at the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Lenten Pilgrimage.

From prayer to Eucharistic Adoration, from Masses and reflections to youth-focused Holy Hours, here’s how parishioners of all ages across Brooklyn and Queens prepared themselves for the Easter Triduum.

Lenten Pilgrimage Comes to a Close in the Diocese of Brooklyn

By Currents News

A Tenebrae Service held at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Brooklyn Heights on Wednesday, April 16, marking the last stop on the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Lenten Pilgrimage.

It was the 37th church visited by pilgrims during this Holy Season of Lent – a stop just as important as their first on Ash Wednesday, when Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James.

“It’s amazing. It’s the best. It’s the best time. The pilgrimage is just, it’s so spiritually renewing,” parishioner Madeline Flood said.

Bishop Brennan led the pilgrims on most of the stops and welcomed them all, both new and returning.

On day three he was at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Astoria, Queens.

“There’s just so much devotion, so much faith. People are really longing to be closer to Jesus Christ, and that’s such an inspiration,” Bishop Brennan said.

Many pilgrims were inspired by Michele Guerrier a St. Therese of Lisieux parishioner who made it her mission to hit every stop on the pilgrimage.

“This diocese has the most beautiful churches,” Guerrier explained. “We tend to stay in our parish home and don’t realize what we have out there.”

Together the pilgrims grew in faith and fellowship, no matter their church, their borough, or their age.

Students from St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy in Astoria led the packed parish in praying the Rosary during the 18th stop of the pilgrimage.

“It was a blessing because I love to pray all the time. I pray before I go to bed, and I feel like it brings me closer to God,” Olivia Buscio, a 4th grader at the school, said.